SPRINGFIELD, Mass. â€" The Golden Bears are finally heading back to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Senior midfielder Kristin Thornton (Bedford, NH) tallied three assists and sophomore Melissa DaCruz (Ludlow, MA) netted a pair of goals to lead fourth-seeded Western New England College past seventh-seeded Simmons College 4-0 in the championship match of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women’s Soccer Tournament Saturday (Nov. 4) at Suprenant Field.

This was the eighth consecutive conference tournament final appearance for Western New England College, but its first title since 2002. WNEC also captured GNAC crowns in 1995, 1999, 2001, and 2002.

Thornton was named the GNAC Tournament MVP after tying the championship game assist mark.

Western New England College took an early 2-0 lead on goals by senior Jen Woishnis (Chicopee, MA) at the 6:03 mark and DaCruz just two minutes later. Senior defender Ashley St. John (Barre, VT) headed in a goal off a corner kick from Thornton in the 32nd minute that gave the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead at half-time. DaCruz completed the scoring with an assist from junior forward Danielle Mate (Nashua, NH) in the 71st minute.

Senior goalie Marisa Sullivan (Halesite, NY) compiled two saves for the Golden Bears for her third shutout of the season.

Sullivan joined St. John, Woishnis, and classmate Katie Gomes (Ludlow, MA) on the All-Tournament Team.

“I’m so happy for our seniors,” said Western New England College coach Ron Dias. “They had tough luck the last three years finishing second in this tournament, but today was their day to shine. Everyone went out and played extremely well.”

Simmons was the surprise team of the tournament reaching the final after upsetting second-seeded Emmanuel (2-1) and tying third-seeded Saint Joseph, Connecticut (1-1), but advancing on penalty kicks (4-3).

Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Elliot (Amherst, NH) settled down after a shaky start and finished with eight saves for the Sharks. Senior forward Nicole Zielinski (Foxboro, MA), junior midfielder Tina Aldrich (Foxboro, MA), and junior defender Andrea Caldwell (Braintree, MA) made the All-Tournament Team.

Western New England College will compete in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship next week. The date, opponent, and site will be announced Monday (Nov. 6).

The other All-Tournament Team members were Kristen Paskewich and Cait Witham of Saint Joseph, Connecticut, and Katie Cherecwich and Kelly Gil of Johnson & Wales.